NO FISHING IN CANALS RILES ANGLERS

To the Coral Springs Improvement District, it's also simple: No fishing in its canals.

The canals are designed for drainage only, said district supervisor Gary Moyer.

Fishing, swimming and other recreational activities always have been off- limits, said Moyer, whose district manages the canals.

But for many Coral Springs anglers, who have been fishing in the canals for years, the news comes as an unwelcome surprise. Recently, police have warned anglers that fishing in the waterways is illegal.

Larry Vaughn, of Davie, fishes in the area every weekend and sometimes during the week. He said he has seen no signs telling him he is not permitted to fish there.

"That's pretty ridiculous," said Vaughn, 26. "It's bad enough that you can't fish where it is posted."

However, Moyer said signs saying fishing and swimming are prohibited are posted where the canals intersect with major roads.

He said other districts that he supervises in North Lauderdale, Parkland and Weston also have the same restrictions.

Although the restriction has been in effect for years, Moyer said, it has recently caused a stir because of complaints by residents that anglers are trespassing and littering in their yards. In addition, Coral Springs police have had to ticket fishermen for illegally parking in the right-of-way of roads.

Moyer said merely fishing in the canals would not hurt the drainage, but the littering and damage to canal banks could. And the district must foot the bill for any damage.

Anglers and their supporters do not agree that they are destructive.

"I think the majority of fishermen are conservative," Vaughn said. "They're not out to destroy property."

Although the issue came up at a recent Coral Springs City Commission meeting, the commissioners have no power over the special taxing district, which was set up by the state Legislature to maintain services.

However, Commissioner Janet Oppenheimer said she wishes such a strict regulation didn't exist. Her husband and son fish in the canal in their own back yard. Theoretically, they are breaking the law, she said.

"They really do enjoy doing it and doing it is a wonderful way to spend time together," she said. "Everybody was upset to hear it's illegal."

Police Chief Roy Arigo said the restriction is enforced a few times a month when neighbors complain that someone is trespassing and fishing in their yard.

However, Moyer said that people fishing in their own back yard would be breaking the law and police could be called. Arigo said that has not happened yet.

The South Florida Water Management District, which maintains the primary canals in the area, has no prohibition on fishing, spokeswoman Ann Overton said.

Canals and bodies of water maintained by Broward County government also do not have fishing rules, said Roy Reynolds, the county's water management director.

FISHING LICENSES

-- IN FRESH WATER: Florida residents and non-residents must have a state freshwater license. Residents, however, may fish in fresh water in the county in which they reside without a permit if they are using a cane pole without a reel and are fishing for non-commercial purposes.

-- IN SALT WATER: Florida residents and non-residents must have a state saltwater license.

-- BOTH LICENSES can be obtained at any county tax collector's office and some bait shops and marinas.